The Karaites: A Different Experssion of Jewish Faith
Karaite Judaism is a community, whose roots reach back more than a millennium, is small but deeply devoted, fiercely scriptural, and committed to a hands-on, personal relationship with the Torah.
The Karaites: A Torah-Only Approach to Judaism
The Karaites base their lives exclusively on the Written Torah—the Five Books of Moses, plus the rest of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). Unlike Rabbanite (or mainstream) Judaism, they do not follow the Oral Law—the Mishnah, the Talmud, or centuries of rabbinic commentary. Instead, Karaites believe each individual is responsible for studying and interpreting scripture themselves.
This isn’t a free-for-all, though. Tradition matters. Many Karaite customs have been passed down over generations, especially when the Torah is silent on specifics. But if the choice is between rabbinic rulings and the plain meaning of scripture? The Torah wins.
Historical Presence and Migrations
Karaite Judaism emerged in the 9th century in the Islamic Middle East. During what many consider their “Golden Age,” between 900 and 1100 CE, Karaites produced a wealth of scholarship and religious commentary. They lived with a degree of autonomy in Muslim lands, and some even rose to high-ranking positions in government and society. At their height, Karaites may have made up as much as 10% of the global Jewish population—a striking figure for a community that often flew under the historical radar.
Karaite communities have been scattered across the Jewish world, from Egypt to Eastern Europe to the heart of Israel. Here’s a look at some of the key places where this tradition has taken root:
- Egypt: Egypt once hosted one of the oldest and most influential Karaite communities, with a presence that lasted roughly 1,300 years. There was frequent interaction—and even intermarriage—between Egyptian Karaites and those in Turkey, Jerusalem, and Crimea.
- Ramla, Israel: Karaites have lived in Ramla for about 800 years, and today it’s considered the global center of Karaite life. The Karaite World Center is based there, along with a historic synagogue that continues to serve the local community.
- Russian Empire and Soviet Union: In the 19th century, Karaite Jews in the Russian Empire were treated differently from their Rabbinic counterparts. Russian officials officially separated the two, exempting Karaites from many of the anti-Jewish laws in place at the time. In an effort to further this distinction, Karaite leaders argued they were not present in Jerusalem during the crucifixion of Jesus—an argument that helped solidify their legal status as a distinct ethnic group in some areas.
- Waves of Aliyah to Israel: With the founding of the State of Israel, Karaites from Egypt, Syria, Iraq, and parts of Europe began to make aliyahin significant numbers.
Today, estimates suggest there are between 30,000 and 50,000 Karaites worldwide. About 30,000 to 40,000 of them live in Israel, mostly in Ramla, making it the heart of modern Karaite Judaism.
Karaite and Rabbanite Judaism Compared
| Aspect | Karaite Judaism | Rabbanite (Rabbinic) Judaism |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Authority | Rejects divine authority of rabbinic rulings; individuals interpret Torah independently. | Accepts Oral Law as divinely authoritative; rabbinic rulings are binding. |
| Calendar and Festivals | Based on moon sightings and ripe barley in Israel; holidays vary. Omer count begins on Sunday after weekly Sabbath. | Uses fixed calendar (Hillel II); Omer count begins second night of Passover regardless of weekday. |
| Shabbat Observance | No fire in homes on Shabbat; cold food or thermos; sexual relations forbidden. | Pre-lit fires allowed; food warming permitted; sexual relations allowed. |
| Prayer and Synagogue Customs | Prayers use only biblical texts; shoes removed; prostration; carpeted floors with no seating; both genders cover heads; menstruating women excluded. | Prayers include liturgy and blessings; shoes worn; seating provided; men cover heads; women’s roles vary; menstruating women not excluded. |
| Kashrut (Dietary Laws) | Literal reading of Torah; only boiling a kid in its mother’s milk is forbidden; meat-dairy mixing varies. | Prohibits mixing all meat and dairy; includes poultry; strict separation of utensils and waiting times. |
| Tefillin | Not worn; verses viewed metaphorically. | Worn during weekday morning prayers; considered a commandment. |
| Mezuzah | Not affixed; commandment viewed metaphorically; some use plaques with Ten Commandments. | Affixed to doorposts; contains biblical passages in scrolls. |
| Tzitzit | Blue thread can come from any source; different braiding style. | Blue thread from specific mollusk; standardized braiding. |
| Hanukkah | Not observed; post-biblical origin. | Fully celebrated with rituals, lights, and blessings. |
| Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah) | No shofar blowing; interpreted as a day of shouting in prayer. | Shofar blown in synagogue services. |
| Passover Seder | Shorter; in Hebrew; focused on Exodus; no Seder plate; wine historically avoided. | Structured Haggadah; includes symbolic Seder plate; wine/grape juice required. |
| Status of Women | Equal status; women can be cantor, mohelet, butcher; can request divorce. | Roles vary; Orthodox Judaism restricts women’s roles; divorce rights limited. |
| Conversion and Descent | Converts accepted through Karaite Jewish University; patrilineal descent usually accepted. | Conversion via rabbinic courts; matrilineal descent standard. |
Karaite-Rabbinic Relations in Israel: A Complex Coexistence
In modern Israel, Karaite Jews walk a fine line: they are legally recognized as Jews under the Law of Return and enjoy a unique autonomy in religious life. Karaite communities are allowed to perform their own marriages, divorces, circumcisions, and burials—all independent of the state-run rabbinic system. This legal recognition helps preserve their traditions, but the relationship with mainstream Rabbinic authorities hasn’t always been smooth.
Sources and Additional Information
